He Learned From His Mistakes - Jehovah Disciplines His Wayward Prophet - Conclusion

 

Jonah told the sailors everything.  He was a servant of the almighty God, Jehovah. This was the God he was running from and had offended, putting them all in this terrible danger.  The men were aghast; Jonah could see the terror in their eyes.  They asked him what they should do to him in order to save the ship and  their lives.  What did he say?  Jonah may have shuddered to think of himseslf drowning in that cold, wild sea.  But how could he send  all these men to such a death when he knew he could save them?  So he urged them: "Lift me up  and hurl me into the sea, and the sea will become still for you;  because I am aware that it is on my account that this great tempest is upon you." - JONAH 1:12.

Hardly the words if a coward, are they? It must have warmed Jehovah's heart to see Jonah's brave, self-sacrificing spirit in that dire moment.  Here we seen Jonah's faith at its best.   We can imitate it today by putting the welfare of others ahead of our own. (John 13:34, 35) When we see someone in need, whether physically, emotionally, or spiritually, do we give of ourselves in order to help out? How we please  Jehovah when we do so ! 

Perhaps the sailors were moved too, for at first they refused to comply!  Instead, they did everything they could to work their way through the storm-but to no avail.  The tempest only grew worse. Finally, they saw that they had no choice.  Calling out to Jonah's God, Jehovah, to show them mercy, they lifted the man up and hurled him over the side, into the sea. - JONAH 1:13-15.

Next time: He Learned From His  Mistakes - Jonah Finds Mercy and Deliverance

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